If your child is on the ASD spectrum

[crispyporkbelly]

When did you suspect it and why?

Thank you

I was pregnant with ds2 before we realised the extent of ds1's difficulties. We knew by the time ds2 was born (we were given the 'almost definitely autistic' talk when ds2 was 2 weeks old - on top of hormones that wasn't great). DS3 wasn't planned as such. I'm pleased ds1 has his brothers now though. And he's been very good for them.

Totally agree with jimjams

Only at the age of 8 did DS look in the vague right direction if I pointed at something. Prior to about 6 he didnt even look up (despite my complete overreaction "Oh look!!! Look here DS!! WOW LOOK!!", whilst pointing. Nada.) xxx

Penfold a SALT said he would grow out of autism in his early teens?!?!

Actually I've tried pointing at things and he will usually look at what I'm pointing at if its within a reasonable distance, so that's one positive at least.

I'm just praying that he'll get to 18 months/2 years and start talking and ill have been worrying over nothing.

Spoke to dp and he agreed that we need to see someone just to put it out there and get an opinion so we're not constantly worrying on our own. If we can get access to early salt then that would be great too.

I was looking back on old videos and he was babbling so much, making amazing sounds - even at 12 weeks old! Now he's silent a lot or groans/grunts with the odd bababa thrown in :( he seems to have regressed since starting walking at 13/14 months, so maybe he's just too focused on being busy walking to concentrate on his speech.

I was reading 'The Emotional Toddler' and it did say the same; that very active children can be late to talk as they're focusing on their motor skills. I hope this is the case

Stillenacht1 - no, it was suspected as autism but was eventually diagnosed as a severe speech and language difficulty instead. NO growing out of either of them though.

Well thats good crispypork my DS never follwed a point until 6/7 even if it was near to us. Its about shared experience and autism and shared experience are not comfortable bedfellows

I remembervbeing worried at 16 months cos ds couldn't point. he didn't copy facial expressions or actions, he didn't point or bring me things, he didn't clap or wave, he didn't play peek a boo. in fact jimjams was one of the people I talked to about it.

he's still very inconsistent at following a point or responding to his name.

oh another thing was that he didn't put his arms out to be picked up.

OP, regression can be another red flag. Make sure you
mention it when you see the GP.

Ds1 used to show us things he liked eg aeroplanes sharing eye gaze & an outstretched arm (no point). He did lift arms to be picked up & played peekaboo but he regressed.

I think that if interaction feels hard work you should think about an assessment. It shouldn't be difficult - it should just flow pretty easily. Even whe adult directed.

stretching out an arm to say he wanted something was another thing he didn't do at that age.

Ds does reach up for me if I'm trying to cook usually!

Doctors tomorrow, quite nervous. I've kept a diary over the last few days so hopefully that'll help.

good luck today with your GP.

Thanks choc.

It went fine, she referred him to a developmental paed assessment without any fuss. Lets see how that goes

Oh, that's good news. You're doing the right thing for him there.

Thanks WhoKnows. I think so too, can't hurt anyway!

glad the GP listened to you. Let us know how it goes. If you need any handholding, then pop over to the special needs children board. a lot of us have children with asd :-)

Thanks Choc, I've had it moved now :)

I started to suspect when my DS was 18months-2. I am a health visitor so possibly saw signs earlier? DS was sweet cuddly happy loving. Easier than my other children... But... In a world of his own. Very own agenda. As others have said- played differently- not imaginative but sorting and copying. He once made the most amazing world out of Lego- I was thrilled and then realised he'd copied it exactly from a tv program :-( delayed speech- and when it came- odd- his first sentence aged 3 was " thank you for washing your hands" he'd read it on the loo wall in a restaurant. In my anguish I refused to have him formally diagnosed though we got a statement and support in mainstream. A mistake in hindsight- what was the point? The only thing that matters is help- all you can get for you and your child- follow your instincts. Good luck!

And btw I was pregnant with no 4 when this surfaced. I really regretted it at the time, but it was good for asd son. The younger ones pulled him into the world at times whether he liked it or not! He also copes pretty well with noisy chaos- he's seen enough at home! Though maybe get this sorted first!

I didn't have the foggiest what was up with my boy but always knew something wasn't quite right. Bizarrely I felt it when I was pregnant. Sounds weird but I really did. I googled autism/aspergers one day and the rest is history.
Hope you get seen by dev paed soon

Hi crispy and welcome to the board. I did see your post on the other board but didnt get round to posting.

Glad you had a positive experience at the GP's and good luck for the paediatrician

Thanks for a warm welcome!

Had some friends round today with their dcs who are older. It was interesting watching ds while they played, at one point he was laughing hysterically because my friends ds was throwing balls around, which was nice. Otherwise he was playing seperately.

Everyone is reassuring me he's fine and they don't play with others that much at that age. My other friend said I know my ds and if I feel something's off its good I'm getting him referred.